American Government: Political Development and Institutional Change - Softcover

Jillson, Cal

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138783668 ISBN 13: 9781138783669

Publisher: Routledge, 2015

Synopsis

Features of this Innovative Text The 8th edition of this well-respected text features the 2014 midterm Congressional elections, the latest on Obama's presidency, important Supreme Court decisions, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and other timely updates. An increased attention to media in politics runs through the book. * Key learning objectives at the beginning of every chapter focus students on central points to watch for. *"The Constitution Today" chapter opening vignettes illustrate the importance of conflicting views on constitutional principles. * Key terms defined in the margins on the page where they appear help students study important concepts. * Colorful figures, photos, and tables help students visualize important information. *"Let's Compare" boxes analyze how functions of government and political participation work in other countries-now framed by new critical thinking questions. * Reformatted "Pro & Con" boxes bring to life a central debate in each chapter and highlight competing perspectives. * End-of-chapter summaries, suggested readings, and web resources help students master the material and guide them to further critical investigation of important concepts and topics. *"Struggling towards Democracy" discussion questions now do more to provoke critical thinking through examining the "then and now" of democracy in America.

About this title

Review

Praise for the Eighth Edition

"In crafting a text on American government, the greatest difficulty lies in explaining the complexity of the American political system and at the same time making that explanation accessible. In this new edition, Cal Jillson accomplishes both with extraordinary ease. Each chapter unfolds around three deceptively simple questions: 1) How does American politics really work? 2) Why do we do it this way? and 3) Is there a better way? Jillson thus allows student and professor to connect the descriptive to the historical to the normative. Clear, comprehensive, and concise, this is no doubt the best American government text on the market today."

―Christopher Malone, Pace University

"I really like this textbook because it is evenly written across all chapters and places the institutions of American government in a historical context. The first three chapters of the eighth edition, on political principles, the Constitution, and federalism, are just as serious as the core chapters on Congress, the presidency, and the courts. For my personal use, I also like Jillson's liberal reference to court cases, which some American government texts now gloss over. The book is widely accessible, but I assign it to honors students. It's that good."

―Keith Dougherty, University of Georgia

Praise for Previous Editions

"Jillson's carefully crafted book helps students understand American politics at a deeper and more engaging level than other texts. Each clear, concise chapter weaves together the threads of American political growth into a thoughtful perspective on the nation’s urgent challenges."

―Dave Robertson, University of Missouri - St. Louis

"The ideals that Jillson so thoroughly includes in this text are straight down the middle and do not in any way cater to the right or left, which is a refreshing idea in today’s educational world. An A+ for government classes everywhere!"

―Drew Mowen, Ft. Scott Community College

"This book truly stands apart from the vast crowd of introductory American politics textbooks."

―Shamira M. Gelbman, Illinois State University

"[This is] a book that connects the political challenges of today to the political conflicts of the past. Students can see not only ways in which the political system has changed, but also how choices we make today will shape the setting for addressing problems to be faced in the future."

―Jonathan Chausovsky, SUNY Fredonia

"The textbook's thesis is that the American political system is best understood when viewed through the lens of institutions, and how and why those institutions have evolved over time. In my mind, this is the most important way to understand American politics and students gain a much more substantive understanding."

―Quentin Kidd, Christopher Newport University

"Like other scholars, I have searched and searched for the best American Government text. I adopted Jillson's book because of its in-depth coverage of political history, Supreme Court cases, and basic facts. . . .It is a great book."

―Keith Dougherty, University of Georgia

About the Author

Cal Jillson is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Southern Methodist University. His recent books include Lone Star Tarnished: A Critical Look at Texas Politics and Public Policy; Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State; Pursuing the American Dream: Opportunity and Exclusion Over Four Centuries; Pathways to Democracy: The Political Economy of Democratic Transitions; and The Dynamics of American Politics. Jillson is a frequent media commentator on Texas and national politics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1138783668
• ISBN 13: 9781138783669
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 670